• Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society is the only national organization for high school students that recognizes excellence in the field of Social Studies. Any accredited public or private high school can apply for a local chapter, through which individuals will be inducted into Rho Kappa Honor Society. Rho Kappa provides national recognition and opportunities for exploration in the social studies. Through its sponsorship of Rho Kappa, NCSS hopes to encourage an interest in, understanding of, and appreciation for the social studies.

    During the 2024-2025 school year, the Livingston High School Social Studies Department is proud to sponsor a local chapter of Rho Kappa. This chapter will be dedicated to promoting scholarship of the social studies through the recognition of student achievement within the LHS community.

    If you are interested in becoming a member of Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society of Livingston High School, please review the following information.  

    Eligibility Criteria

    • The academic requirements for admission include: 
        • Successful completion of at least ONE honors or AP level social studies course in grades 9, 10 or 11 and commitment to enroll in a social studies elective in the applicant’s senior year
        • Minimum 3.5 social studies GPA and an overall all-course GPA of 3.0
        • 11th grade student who has enrolled in at least 6 total semesters within the Social Studies program.
    • Community Service requirements for admission include:
      • When notified of their conditional acceptance into Rho Kappa Honor Society, members will have the remainder of the 2023 school year and the summer to complete 5 hours of community service.
      • A separate community service log will be emailed to all accepted and linked in this page.  Potential members will need to submit their community service log to either Mr. Charles Raphael, Supervisor of Social Studies 7-12 or Mrs. Jill Tejeda, Rho Kappa Advisor by Friday, September 8th for review.   

     Application, Selection and Recognition Process

    • Students must complete the application linked below NO LATER THAN Friday, May 24, 2024 at 2:00pm.
    • Official Application -FOR CLASSES CURRENTLY ENROLLED - PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR SEMESTER ONE GRADE ON THE APPLICATION.
    • Students must fully complete the application.

    The Selection process will be conducted as follows:

    1. The Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society advisor and the Department Supervisor will verify the requirements of each potential candidate.  
    2. A list of candidates will be distributed to each department member for review.
    3. The Advisor, Supervisor and faculty designees will review the final list and written expressions.
    • Candidates may be denied if any one of the criteria is not fully met.
    • All candidates will be notified by letter shortly after the final review.
    • Successful candidates will have an additional letter forwarded to their guidance counselor and will be invited to an induction ceremony. The induction ceremony is scheduled for the fall of 2024.

    Requirements to Maintain Membership

    To maintain membership, a student must:

    • Maintain academic requirements and standards of behavior representative of the Honor Society admission requirements. If a breach of academic integrity is found (for any class), then removal with the potential for an administrative review. 
    • Attend ALL the meetings of the Social Studies Honor Society. At these meetings the following requirements will be discussed:
    1. Participation in at least 5 hours of community service, either independently or through the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society Service Project.
    2. Participation in at least one historical essay or presentation competition.  Please check the department website for competition options.  Please submit confirmation of entry to the Rho Kappa advisor and Department Supervisor.
    • Payment of $14 for induction fees and Graduation Honors Cords must be made prior to the induction ceremony. All checks must be made payable to Livingston High School and submitted directly to the faculty advisor, Mrs. Jill Tejeda.